Convertible compact loader and excavator

ABSTRACT

A loader excavator is described that is operable in an excavation mode or in a loader mode. The loader excavator comprises a main boom and a dipper boom, wherein a loader bucket or an excavator bucket can be selectively utilized in accordance with user preference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a compact utility loader that is convertible to an excavator and vice versa. More particularly, this invention relates to a tracked machine adapted for use in outdoor construction environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multi-purpose convertible skid loader and excavator is disclosed. An operator can convert the machine from a skid loader to an excavator without leaving the cab, through manipulation of hydraulic controls.

A loader excavator is described that is operable in an excavation mode or in a loader mode. The loader excavator comprises a main boom and a dipper boom, wherein a loader bucket or an excavator bucket can be selectively utilized in accordance with user preference.

In the excavation mode, a main boom and a dipper boom are operable through hydraulic controls to raise and lower the excavator bucket. Excavation is generally characterized by the excavator bucket facing toward the operator, excavation of material accomplished by digging or drawing the material toward the operator and then lifted.

In a loader mode, the dipper boom is operable through hydraulic controls to raise and lower the loader bucket. Loading is generally characterized by the loader bucket facing away the operator, loading of material accomplished by digging or pushing the material away from the operator and then lifted.

The main boom operable in an excavation mode when said dipper boom is coupled with the excavator bucket; the dipper boom is operable in the excavation mode and a loader mode when said dipper boom is coupled with the loader bucket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a convertible skid loader and excavator, shown in a loader mode, in phantom in an excavation mode.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a convertible skid loader and excavator.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a convertible skid loader and excavator, shown in an excavator mode.

FIGS. 4 a-c are top views of a preferred embodiment of operator control configuration.

FIGS. 5 and 5 a are detail views of bucket detachment.

FIG. 6 is a detail views of hydraulic arms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention that may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a convertible skid loader and excavator 5, shown in a loader mode with a loader bucket 70, and in phantom in the loader mode with a dipper boom 20 fully extended.

The dipper boom 20 is operable through hydraulic controls (described later) to raise and lower the loader bucket 70. The loader bucket is also rotatable from a digging position (not shown) to a carrying position as shown, in which the front edge of the loader bucket 70 is slightly elevated with respect to the remainder of the bottom edge of the loader bucket 70.

Loading is generally characterized by the loader bucket 70 facing away the operator, loading of material accomplished by digging or pushing the material away from the operator and then lifted.

In loader mode, three hydraulic rams are utilized. First, dipper boom hydraulic ram 40, is operable to manipulate dipper boom 20 toward or away from main boom 10. Dipper boom hydraulic ram 40 rotates dipper boom 20 when the ram 40 is extended. At full extension of dipper boom hydraulic ram 40, dipper boom 20 will be in the position shown in phantom.

Second, bucket ram 50 operates to rotate the loader bucket 70 by extension of a bucket ram 50, which in turn causes ram joints 55 to pivot about ram pin 53, resulting in rotation of the bucket 70.

Third, dipper extension hydraulic ram 90 is operable to manipulate dipper boom extension 60 toward or away from dipper boom 20.

The operator can move the loader/excavator forward or backward using the track sub-assembly 110, preferably containing an elevated drive sprocket as shown. Further, the operator can rotate the excavator/loader by engagement of a slew ring 130.

Main structure and engine compartment 100 houses the engine and other necessary peripherals (not shown) sufficient to drive the slew ring 130, track sub-assembly 110, and hydraulic controls operating the booms.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a front elevation view of the convertible skid loader and excavator is shown. In this view, it is apparent that extension of the bucket ram 50 causes pivoting of ram joints 55. Undercarriage 120 carrying the track sub-assembly 100 is shown. Operators will ordinarily be seated in seat 150.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side elevation view of a preferred embodiment of a convertible skid loader and excavator, shown in an excavator mode.

Excavation is generally characterized by the excavator bucket 80 facing toward the operator, excavation of material accomplished by digging or drawing the material toward the operator and then lifted.

In the excavation mode, the main boom 10 and the dipper boom 20 are operable through hydraulic controls to raise and lower the excavator bucket 80. In a preferred embodiment, the main boom 10 and the dipper boom 20 operate in the excavation mode, in contrast to the loader mode, when only the dipper boom 20 is preferably used.

In order to provide extension of the excavator bucket 80 away from the operator, as emphasized between the phantom and solid views of the dipper boom 20 and main boom 10, the main boom 10 is hydraulically extended by operation of the main boom hydraulic ram 30, which in turn causes bucket ram joints 32 to rotate about bucket pins 35.

Dipper boom hydraulic ram 40 is extended to rotate the dipper boom 20 as previously described. Additionally, a dipper extension hydraulic ram 90 causes further extension of dipper boom extension 60, shown in FIG. 3 in an extended position. Manipulation of the bucket ram 50 causes rotation of the excavator bucket 80 in the same manner as previously described in relation to loader bucket 70.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 a-c, top views of a preferred embodiment of operator control configuration are shown. While preferably seated in seat 150, an operator can operate a left track and a right track of track sub-assembly 110 by operating one of the forward-reverse actuators shown.

In order to move the main boom 10 by extension of main boom hydraulic ram 30, the user moves the Boom 30 Down or Up controls shown in FIG. 4 b.

In order to move the dipper boom 20 by extension of dipper boom hydraulic ram 40, the user moves the Boom 40 Down or Up controls shown in FIG. 4 c.

To rotate about slew ring 130, the operator moves the Slew Left or Right controls shown in FIG. 4 b.

To rotate either the excavator bucket 80 or the loader bucket 70, the operator moves the Bucket down or up control on FIG. 4 c.

Last, to extend or retract the dipper extension hydraulic ram 90, thereby raising or lowering the dipper boom extension 60, the operator engages the boom extend and retract switch shown on FIG. 4 c.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are detail views of hydraulic arms. Referring specifically to FIG. 5A, it can be seen that a pin 74 is coupled to a cleat ram 72 that can move up or down. A wedge on the pin 74 engages a hole in a tab 76 that is welded on the bucket 70 (or 80). This draws the bucket 70 (or 80) towards cleat 71 and locks it into place. The cleat 71 is coupled to the dipper boom extension 60 through bucket pin 78.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 

1. A loader excavator comprising: a main boom; a dipper boom coupled to said main boom; a loader bucket; an excavator bucket; said dipper boom selectively coupled to said loader bucket or said excavator bucket; said main boom operable in an excavation mode when said dipper boom is coupled with said excavator bucket; said dipper boom operable in said excavation mode and a loader mode when said dipper boom is coupled with said loader bucket.
 2. The loader excavator of claim 1, the loader excavator further comprising a hydraulic ram coupled to said main boom to rotate said main boom.
 3. The loader excavator of Claim 1, the loader excavator further comprising a hydraulic ram coupled to said dipper boom to rotate said dipper boom.
 4. The loader excavator of claim 1, the loader excavator further comprising a bucket ram selectively coupled to said loader bucket or said excavator bucket.
 5. The loader excavator of claim 4, the loader excavator, said bucket ram coupled to a pin and a joint, said bucket ram rotating said loader bucket or said excavator bucket when said bucket ram is hydraulically extended.
 6. The loader excavator of claim 1, the loader excavator further comprising a slew ring rotatably carrying said loader excavator.
 7. The loader excavator of claim 1, the loader excavator further comprising a track carrying said loader excavator, said track operable to move said loader excavator along ground.
 8. The loader excavator of claim 7, the loader excavator further comprising an undercarriage coupled to said track carrying said loader excavator.
 9. The loader excavator of claim 7, the loader excavator further comprising a second track operable with said first track to move said excavator in a curved path along ground.
 10. The loader excavator of claim 1, the loader excavator further comprising a dipper boom extension coupled to said dipper boom.
 11. The loader excavator of claim 10, the loader excavator further comprising a hydraulic ram coupled to said dipper boom extension to rotate said dipper boom extension.
 12. A loader excavator operable in an excavation mode and in a loader mode, said loader excavator comprising a main boom operable in said excavation mode, and a dipper boom operable in said excavation mode and said loader mode.
 13. A method of operating a loader excavator comprising the steps of: coupling a loader bucket to said loader excavator; manipulating said loader bucket axially rotatably, and vertically; detaching said loader bucket; coupling an excavator bucket to said loader excavator; manipulating said loader bucket axially rotatably, vertically, and horizontally.
 14. The combination of a loader and an excavator operable from both a main boom and a dipper boom. 